Validations.

The California Senate Committee on Local Government proposes comprehensive validation of public bodies' organization, boundaries, and financial instruments through the Third Validating Act of 2025. This legislation affirms the legal status of existing state and local government entities while establishing parameters for challenging their authority.

The act encompasses validation for nearly all categories of public bodies in California, from state agencies to special districts, confirming their organizational structure, geographic boundaries, and past administrative actions. Notable exclusions include community redevelopment agencies and certain joint powers authorities. The legislation specifically validates previously issued bonds and other financial instruments, declaring them legally binding obligations of the issuing entities.

To prevent prolonged uncertainty, the act implements a six-month window following its effective date for legal challenges to validated actions. After this period, validated matters become legally incontestable unless barred by existing statutes of limitations. The legislation maintains constitutional boundaries by limiting validations to actions permissible under state and federal constitutions, while excluding matters currently under legal dispute or previously ruled invalid.

The act preserves existing requirements for assessment and taxation purposes, stipulating that boundary changes or entity creation remain contingent on proper filing of documentation under the Government Code. This maintains established procedures for tax administration while providing the broader validation framework for public entities' operations and authority.